Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2023 / Prelims / Mathematics II / 3

For a power series $\sum a_n{z}^n$, its radius of convergence $R\in [0,\infty ]$ separates absolute convergence for $|z|<R$ from divergence for $|z|>R$. One may define $R=\sup \{r\ge 0:\sum |a_n|r^n<\infty \}$, allowing $R=\infty$.

To justify convergence inside the radius, choose $|z|<r<R$ with $\sum |a_n|r^n<\infty$. In particular $|a_n|r^n\le M$ for some $M$, soThe comparison test with a geometric series proves absolute convergence. Conversely, convergence at a point of modulus $\rho$ makes $a_n{z}^n$ bounded there and gives absolute convergence at all smaller moduli by the same estimate. Consequently a convergent point of modulus greater than $R$ would contradict the definition of $R$.

For $0<R<\infty$, the real domain of convergence is one of $(-R,R)$, $[-R,R)$, $(-R,R]$, or $[-R,R]$. At $R=1$ these are realized respectively byThe endpoint assertions follow from the harmonic series, alternating series test, and p-series. Replacing $z$ by $z/R$ realizes every finite positive radius. The degenerate domain $\{0\}$ occurs for $\sum n!z^n$, while the entire real line occurs for $\sum z^n/n!$. Their radii are zero and infinity by the ratio test.

The Cauchy-Hadamard theorem states $R^{-1}=\mathrm{limsup}|a_n{|}^{1/n}$. At the prime numbers $n=p$, this root equals $p^{2/p}\to 1$. There are infinitely many prime numbers, so these indices form an unbounded subsequence. For every other positive index the root is zero. The limit superior is therefore one, and $\boxed{R=1}$.

By Stirling's approximation,Here $(2\pi n{)}^{1/(2n)}\to 1$ and $n^{1/n^2}\to 1$, as is seen by taking the natural logarithm. The Cauchy-Hadamard theorem gives $\boxed{R=e^{-1}}$.

At the nonzero indices $n=m!$ with $m\ge 2$,since $m/(m!)=1/(m-1)!\to 0$. At all other sufficiently large indices the coefficient is zero. The initial coefficients do not affect the limit superior, which equals one. The Cauchy-Hadamard theorem therefore gives $\boxed{R=1}$.